Abstract

This study analyzed the communication between a national rowing team and their 'virtual coach' over a period of 18 months. An exploratory analysis of 1500+ emails provided insight into how the coach successfully leveraged ubiquitous information technology to build a high performance team. Zaccaro's (2002) framework of functional leadership and Weick and Robert's (1993) framework of collective mind were applied to understand the coach's approach for developing a non‑traditional semi‑ virtual team; the primary role of Coach was likened to that of "sense‑giver" given the charge of developing a "collective mind." This study works to illustrate how ubiquitous technology like e‑mails can be strategically used in the development of a high performing semi‑virtual team.